Major League Baseball Draft Slot Money

• Major League Baseball Draft Slot Money 2018
• Major League Baseball Draft Slot Money
• Major League Baseball Draft Slot Money

JJ Bleday was one of just two players (along with prep shortstop Anthony Volpe) who signed over-slot deals in the first round in 2019, and his $6,670,000 signing bonus is the most money any.

1. 2020 MLB Draft Results - Round: 1. The 2020 MLB Draft is in the books. The five round draft had some early surprises. With the number of rounds cut short, teams will now be eligible to sign an unlimited number of undrafted playes due to the reworked draft process.
2. With seven total picks on Day 1 and eight of the first 100 selections, the D-backs will have $16,093,700 to spend during the 2019 draft, just over $2 million more than the Orioles, who have the.

The Orioles have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, but the team with the largest total bonus pool doesn't pick until the 16th selection of the first round. With seven total picks on Day 1 and eight of the first 100 selections, the D-backs will have $16,093,700 to spend during the 2019 draft, just over $2 million more than the Orioles, who have the second-highest bonus pool.

Arizona has a plethora of draft selections for several reasons. First, they failed to sign their first selection in last year's draft (current UCLA freshman Matt McLain) with the 25th pick. For that they were given pick No. 26 in this year's draft. Secondly, the D-backs gained a pair of compensation picks between the first round and the competitive balance round A (No. 32 and No. 33) after both lefthander Patrick Corbin and outfielder A.J. Pollock signed with other teams in free agency this offseason for more than $50 million. Had either player signed for less than $50 million, the D-backs would have received a pick after the second competitive balance round. Third, the Diamondbacks received their own competitive balance round B pick (No. 74) as one of the 10 smallest markets or for having of the 10 smallest revenue pools in the game. The team then traded for the Cardinals' competitive balance round B selection (No. 75) in the offseason trade that sent Paul Goldschmidt to St. Louis.

The number of picks and extra pool money will allow the D-backs to make a large impact on the 2019 draft class. While it is more difficult to slide players down the board under the current CBA, having the most money in the draft could allow Arizona to confidently take any player who is falling for signability concerns. It could also allow the organization to take a few more risks on players with big tools but less track record, while not having their draft hinge upon those players panning out thanks to the depth of the class.

At the opposite end of the spectrum are the Red Sox, who have the smallest pool at $4,788,100. This is due, in part, to the organization surpassing the luxury tax threshold, which dropped their first pick ten spots, down to No. 43 overall.

Here are each teams' complete bonus pool, from greatest to least, with the pick values for the top-10 rounds outlined below that.

1. Diamondbacks — $16,093,700
2. Orioles — $13,821,300
3. Royals — $13,108,000
4. Marlins — $13,045,000
5. White Sox — $11,565,500
6. Braves — $11,532,200
7. Rangers — $11,023,100
8. Padres — $10,758,900
9. Tigers — $10,402,500
10. Rays — $10,333,800
11. Pirates — $9,944,000
12. Twins — $9,905,800
13. Reds — $9,528,600
14. Giants — $8,714,500
15. Blue Jays — $8,463,300
16. Mets — $8,224,600
17. Dodgers — $8,069,100
18. Angels — $7,608,700
19. Mariners — $7,559,000
20. Yankees — $7,455,300
21. Rockies — $7,092,300
22. Cardinals — $6,903,500
23. Phillies — $6,475,800
24. Indians — $6,148,100
25. Nationals — $5,979,600
26. Cubs — $5,826,900
27. Athletics — $5,605,900
28. Astros — $5,355,100
29. Brewers — $5,148,200
30. Red Sox — $4,788,100

Pick	Round	Team	Slot
1	1	Orioles	$8,415,300
2	1	Royals	$7,789,900
3	1	White Sox	$7,221,200
4	1	Marlins	$6,664,000
5	1	Tigers	$6,180,700
6	1	Padres	$5,742,900
7	1	Reds	$5,432,400
8	1	Rangers	$5,176,900
9	COMP	Braves	$4,949,100
10	1	Giants	$4,739,900
11	1	Blue Jays	$4,547,500
12	1	Mets	$4,366,400
13	1	Twins	$4,197,300
14	1	Phillies	$4,036,800
15	1	Angels	$3,885,800
16	1	Diamondbacks	$3,745,500
17	1	Nationals	$3,609,700
18	1	Pirates	$3,481,300
19	1	Cardinals	$3,359,000
20	1	Mariners	$3,242,900
21	1	Braves	$3,132,300
22	1	Rays	$3,027,000
23	1	Rockies	$2,926,800
24	1	Indians	$2,831,300
25	1	Dodgers	$2,740,300
26	COMP	Diamondbacks	$2,653,400
27	1	Cubs	$2,570,100
28	1	Brewers	$2,493,900
29	1	Athletics	$2,424,600
30	1	Yankees	$2,365,500
31	COMP	Dodgers	$2,312,000
32	1	Astros	$2,257,300
33	COMP	Diamondbacks	$2,202,200
34	COMP	Diamondbacks	$2,148,100
35	CBA	Marlins	$2,095,800
36	CBA	Rays	$2,045,400
37	COMP	Pirates	$1,999,300
38	CBA	Yankees	$1,952,300
39	CBA	Twins	$1,906,800
40	CBA	Rays	$1,856,700
41	CBA	Rangers	$1,813,500
42	2	Orioles	$1,771,100
43	1	Red Sox	$1,729,800
44	2	Royals	$1,689,500
45	2	White Sox	$1,650,200
46	2	Marlins	$1,617,400
47	2	Tigers	$1,580,200
48	2	Padres	$1,543,600
49	2	Reds	$1,507,600
50	2	Rangers	$1,469,900
51	2	Giants	$1,436,900
52	2	Blue Jays	$1,403,200
53	2	Mets	$1,370,400
54	2	Twins	$1,338,500
55	2	Angels	$1,307,000
56	2	Diamondbacks	$1,276,400
57	2	Pirates	$1,243,600
58	2	Cardinals	$1,214,300
59	2	Mariners	$1,185,500
60	2	Braves	$1,157,400
61	2	Rays	$1,129,700
62	2	Rockies	$1,102,700
63	2	Indians	$1,076,300
64	2	Cubs	$1,050,300
65	2	Brewers	$1,025,100
66	2	Athletics	$1,003,300
67	2	Yankees	$976,700
68	2	Astros	$953,100
69	2	Red Sox	$929,800
70	CBB	Royals	$906,800
71	CBB	Orioles	$884,200
72	CBB	Pirates	$870,700
73	CBB	Padres	$857,400
74	CBB	Diamondbacks	$844,200
75	CBB	Diamondbacks	$831,100
76	CBB	Mariners	$818,200
77	CBB	Rockies	$805,600
78	COMP	Dodgers	$793,000
79	3	Orioles	$780,400
80	3	Royals	$767,800
81	3	White Sox	$755,300
82	3	Marlins	$744,200
83	3	Tigers	$733,100
84	3	Padres	$721,900
85	3	Reds	$710,700
86	3	Rangers	$699,700
87	3	Giants	$689,300
88	3	Blue Jays	$678,600
89	3	Mets	$667,900
90	3	Twins	$657,600
91	3	Phillies	$647,300
92	3	Angels	$637,600
93	3	Diamondbacks	$627,900
94	3	Nationals	$618,200
95	3	Pirates	$610,800
96	3	Cardinals	$604,800
97	3	Mariners	$599,100
98	3	Braves	$593,100
99	3	Rays	$587,400
100	3	Rockies	$581,600
101	3	Indians	$577,000
102	3	Dodgers	$571,400
103	3	Cubs	$565,600
104	3	Athletics	$560,000
105	3	Yankees	$554,300
106	3	Astros	$549,000
107	3	Red Sox	$543,500
108	4	Orioles	$538,200
109	4	Royals	$533,000
110	4	White Sox	$527,800
111	4	Marlins	$522,600
112	4	Tigers	$517,400
113	4	Padres	$512,400
114	4	Reds	$507,400
115	4	Rangers	$502,300
116	4	Giants	$497,500
117	4	Blue Jays	$492,700
118	4	Mets	$487,900
119	4	Twins	$483,000
120	4	Phillies	$478,300
121	4	Angels	$473,700
122	4	Diamondbacks	$469,000
123	4	Nationals	$464,500
124	4	Pirates	$460,000
125	4	Cardinals	$455,600
126	4	Mariners	$451,800
127	4	Braves	$447,400
128	4	Rays	$442,900
129	4	Rockies	$438,700
130	4	Indians	$434,300
131	4	Dodgers	$430,800
132	4	Cubs	$426,600
133	4	Brewers	$422,300
134	4	Athletics	$418,200
135	4	Yankees	$414,000
136	4	Astros	$410,100
137	4	Red Sox	$406,000
138	5	Orioles	$402,000
139	5	Royals	$398,000
140	5	White Sox	$394,300
141	5	Marlins	$390,400
142	5	Tigers	$386,600
143	5	Padres	$382,700
144	5	Reds	$379,000
145	5	Rangers	$375,200
146	5	Giants	$371,600
147	5	Blue Jays	$367,900
148	5	Mets	$364,400
149	5	Twins	$360,800
150	5	Phillies	$357,100
151	5	Angels	$353,700
152	5	Diamondbacks	$350,300
153	5	Nationals	$346,800
154	5	Pirates	$343,400
155	5	Cardinals	$340,000
156	5	Mariners	$336,600
157	5	Braves	$333,300
158	5	Rays	$330,100
159	5	Rockies	$327,200
160	5	Indians	$324,100
161	5	Dodgers	$321,100
162	5	Cubs	$318,200
163	5	Brewers	$315,400
164	5	Athletics	$312,400
165	5	Yankees	$309,500
166	5	Astros	$306,800
167	5	Red Sox	$304,200
168	6	Orioles	$301,600
169	6	Royals	$299,000
170	6	White Sox	$296,400
171	6	Marlins	$293,800
172	6	Tigers	$291,400
173	6	Padres	$289,000
174	6	Reds	$286,500
175	6	Rangers	$284,200
176	6	Giants	$281,800
177	6	Blue Jays	$279,500
178	6	Mets	$277,100
179	6	Twins	$274,800
180	6	Phillies	$272,500
181	6	Angels	$270,300
182	6	Diamondbacks	$268,200
183	6	Nationals	$266,000
184	6	Pirates	$263,700
185	6	Cardinals	$261,600
186	6	Mariners	$259,400
187	6	Braves	$257,400
188	6	Rays	$255,300
189	6	Rockies	$253,300
190	6	Indians	$251,100
191	6	Dodgers	$249,000
192	6	Cubs	$247,000
193	6	Brewers	$244,900
194	6	Athletics	$243,000
195	6	Yankees	$241,000
196	6	Astros	$239,000
197	6	Red Sox	$237,000
198	7	Orioles	$235,100
199	7	Royals	$233,000
200	7	White Sox	$231,100
201	7	Marlins	$229,700
202	7	Tigers	$227,700
203	7	Padres	$225,800
204	7	Reds	$224,000
205	7	Rangers	$222,100
206	7	Giants	$220,200
207	7	Blue Jays	$218,500
208	7	Mets	$216,600
209	7	Twins	$214,900
210	7	Phillies	$213,300
211	7	Angels	$211,500
212	7	Diamondbacks	$209,800
213	7	Nationals	$208,200
214	7	Pirates	$206,500
215	7	Cardinals	$204,800
216	7	Mariners	$203,400
217	7	Braves	$201,600
218	7	Rays	$200,100
219	7	Rockies	$198,500
220	7	Indians	$197,300
221	7	Dodgers	$195,700
222	7	Cubs	$194,400
223	7	Brewers	$192,900
224	7	Athletics	$191,500
225	7	Yankees	$190,100
226	7	Astros	$188,900
227	7	Red Sox	$187,700
228	8	Orioles	$186,300
229	8	Royals	$184,700
230	8	White Sox	$183,700
231	8	Marlins	$182,300
232	8	Tigers	$181,200
233	8	Padres	$179,800
234	8	Reds	$178,600
235	8	Rangers	$177,400
236	8	Giants	$176,300
237	8	Blue Jays	$175,000
238	8	Mets	$174,000
239	8	Twins	$173,000
240	8	Phillies	$172,100
241	8	Angels	$171,200
242	8	Diamondbacks	$170,300
243	8	Nationals	$169,500
244	8	Pirates	$168,500
245	8	Cardinals	$167,800
246	8	Mariners	$167,000
247	8	Braves	$166,100
248	8	Rays	$165,400
249	8	Rockies	$164,700
250	8	Indians	$163,900
251	8	Dodgers	$163,400
252	8	Cubs	$162,700
253	8	Brewers	$162,000
254	8	Athletics	$161,400
255	8	Yankees	$160,800
256	8	Astros	$160,300
257	8	Red Sox	$159,700
258	9	Orioles	$159,200
259	9	Royals	$158,600
260	9	White Sox	$158,100
261	9	Marlins	$157,600
262	9	Tigers	$157,200
263	9	Padres	$156,600
264	9	Reds	$156,100
265	9	Rangers	$155,800
266	9	Giants	$155,300
267	9	Blue Jays	$154,900
268	9	Mets	$154,600
269	9	Twins	$154,100
270	9	Phillies	$153,600
271	9	Angels	$153,300
272	9	Diamondbacks	$152,900
273	9	Nationals	$152,600
274	9	Pirates	$152,300
275	9	Cardinals	$152,000
276	9	Mariners	$151,600
277	9	Braves	$151,300
278	9	Rays	$150,800
279	9	Rockies	$150,500
280	9	Indians	$150,300
281	9	Dodgers	$150,100
282	9	Cubs	$149,800
283	9	Brewers	$149,500
284	9	Athletics	$149,300
285	9	Yankees	$148,900
286	9	Astros	$148,400
287	9	Red Sox	$148,200
288	10	Orioles	$147,900
289	10	Royals	$147,700
290	10	White Sox	$147,400
291	10	Marlins	$147,200
292	10	Tigers	$147,000
293	10	Padres	$146,800
294	10	Reds	$146,300
295	10	Rangers	$146,100
296	10	Giants	$145,700
297	10	Blue Jays	$145,500
298	10	Mets	$145,300
299	10	Twins	$145,000
300	10	Phillies	$144,800
301	10	Angels	$144,600
302	10	Diamondbacks	$144,400
303	10	Nationals	$144,100
304	10	Pirates	$143,900
305	10	Cardinals	$143,600
306	10	Mariners	$143,500
307	10	Braves	$143,200
308	10	Rays	$143,000
309	10	Rockies	$142,700
310	10	Indians	$142,500
311	10	Dodgers	$142,300
312	10	Cubs	$142,200
313	10	Brewers	$142,200
314	10	Athletics	$142,200
315	10	Yankees	$142,200
316	10	Astros	$142,200
317	10	Red Sox	$142,200

With the signing deadline behind us and teams looking at a complete picture of their 2019 draft classes, it’s now possible to break down some of the numbers and see where and how major league teams are spending their money.

It’s also now possible to see how the industry valued the top 34 players in the country. Unlike drafts in other sports, baseball doesn’t have a hard-slotting system, which means the players don’t necessarily get taken in the order that the industry perceives their talent level.

For various financial reasons—or simply because a team values a certain player more or less than the industry does—it can be misleading to look at the first round and think you are looking at the top talent in the class.

Now, though, it’s as simple as lining up the top 34 players in the draft by signing bonus and seeing how different the order looks. Talented high school players like Matthew Allan and Hudson Head fell to the second day of the draft, but they made up for that drop by signing for bonuses that give them first-round bank accounts, even if they won’t be referred to as first-round picks.

Below, you can see how the 34 highest-paid 2019 draftees line up.

1. Adley Rutschman, C, Oregon State ($8,100,000)
2. Bobby Witt, SS, Colleyville (Texas) Heritage HS ($7,787,400)
3. Andrew Vaughn, 1B, California ($7,221,200)
4. JJ Bleday, OF, Vanderbilt ($6,670,000)
5. Riley Greene, OF, Hagerty HS, Oviedo, Fla. ($6,180,700)
6. Nick Lodolo, LHP, Texas Christian ($5,432,400)
7. CJ Abrams, SS, Blessed Trinity HS, Roswell, Ga. ($5,200,000)
8. Alek Manoah, RHP, West Virginia ($4,547,500)
9. Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Tech ($4,400,000)
10. Hunter Bishop, OF, Arizona State ($4,097,500)
11. Keoni Cavaco, SS, Eastlake HS, Chula Vista, Calif. ($4,050,000)
12. Shea Langeliers, C, Baylor ($3,997,500)
13. Brett Baty, 3B, Lake Travis HS, Austin ($3,900,000)
14. Bryson Stott, SS, Nevada-Las Vegas ($3,900,000)
15. Corbin Carroll, OF, Lakeside HS, Seattle ($3,745,500)
16. Jackson Rutledge, RHP, San Jacinto (Texas) JC ($3,450,000)
17. Quinn Priester, RHP, Cary-Grove HS, Cary, Ill. ($3,400,000)
18. Will Wilson, SS, North Carolina State ($3,397,500)
19. George Kirby, RHP, Elon ($3,242,900)
20. Braden Shewmake, SS, Texas A&M ($3,129,800)
21. Greg Jones, SS, UNC Wilmington ($3,024,500)
22. Zack Thompson, LHP, Kentucky ($3,000,000)
23. Hudson Head, OF, Churchill HS, San Antonio ($3,000,000)
24. Kody Hoese, 3B, Tulane ($2,740,300)
25. Anthony Volpe, SS, Delbarton HS, Morristown, N.J. ($2,740,300)
26. Michael Toglia, 1B, UCLA ($2,725,000)
27. Daniel Espino, RHP, Georgia Premier Academy, Statesboro, Ga. ($2,500,000)
28. Matthew Allan, RHP, Seminole HS, Sanford, Fla. ($2,500,000)
29. Blake Walston, LHP, New Hanover HS, Wilmington, N.C. ($2,450,000)
30. Logan Davidson, SS, Clemson ($2,424,600)
31. Michael Busch, 2B, North Carolina ($2,312,000)
32. Gunnar Henderson, SS, Morgan Academy, Selma, Ala. ($2,300,000)
33. Brady McConnell, SS, Florida ($2,222,500)
34. Brennan Malone, RHP, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. ($2,202,200)

Seeing how the money breaks down across different position groups can also be informative. Here are the top money-makers for each position group, as well as average signing bonus numbers for the total position group and the top 10 players at each group.

Top Paid Catchers
Top 10 Average Bonus — $1,746,750
Total (73) Average Bonus — $312,214

Adley Rutschmanset the all-time bonus record by signing for $100,000 more thanGerrit Coledid as the No. 1 overall selection by the Pirates in 2011. Rutschman topped the previous record for a catcher’s bonus by more than a million, clearing 2018 No. 2 overall pick Joey Bart’s $7,025,000 mark.

Teams largely prefer spending money on college catchers, as the high school backstop profiles is among the riskiest in the draft. That sentiment is made obvious by the fact thatEthan Hearnwas the sole prep catcher to appear among the top 10 catcher bonuses.

1. Adley Rutschman, Oregon State (Orioles) — $8,100,000
2. Shea Langeliers, Baylor (Braves) — $3,997,500
3. Korey Lee, California (Astros) — $1,750,000
4. Ethan Hearn, Mobile (Ala.) Christian HS (Cubs) — $950,000
5. Logan Driscoll, George Mason (Padres) — $600,000
6. Kyle McCann, Georgia Tech (Athletics) — $500,000
7. Philip Clarke, Vanderbilt (Blue Jays) — $497,500
8. Thomas Dillard, Mississippi (Brewers) — $397,500
9. Carter Bins, Fresno State (Mariners) — $350,000
10. Nick Kahle, Washington (Brewers) — $325,000

Top Paid First Basemen
Top 10 Average Bonus — $1,405,380
Total (38) Average Bonus — $404,587

Andrew Vaughnset the new record for highest-paid first baseman, surpassing Brendan McKay’s $7,005,000 bonus in 2017. McKay’s bonus was high because of his two-way status out of Louisville, however, and the previous high bonus for a first baseman outside of him was Eric Hosmer’s $6,000,000 bonus after the Royals took him with the No. 3 overall pick in 2008 out of American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) High.

1. Andrew Vaughn, California (White Sox) — $7,221,200
2. Michael Toglia, UCLA (Rockies) — $2,725,000
3. Logan Wyatt, Louisville (Giants) — $997,500
4. Garrett Frechette, Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS (Giants) — $797,500
5. Joseph Naranjo, Ayala HS, Chino Hills, Calif. (Indians) — $770,000
6. Tristin English, Georgia Tech (Diamondbacks) — $500,000
7. Mahki Backstrom, Serra HS, Gardena, Calif. (Braves) — $397,500
8. Andrew Daschbach, Stanford (Orioles) — $250,000
9. Jake Guenther, Texas Christian (Rays) — $197,600
10. Bryce Ball, Dallas Baptist (Braves) — $197,500

Top Paid Third Basemen
Top 10 Average Bonus — $1,820,750
Total (36) Average Bonus — $559,919

Third base is a lucrative position, as the group averaged the second-highest bonus when accounting for all players who signed. It’s unsurprising considering the track record of third basemen taken early in the draft and the fact that, generally, the position is full of the best hitters in the class.

Major League Baseball Draft Slot Money 2018

Josh Jungwas the most lucrative third baseman in the 2019 class, but his $4,400,000 bonus ranks just eighth all time.Kris Bryantis still the most expensive third baseman after signing for $6,708,400 as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 draft. Texas sluggerBrett BatysurpassedNicholas Castellanos’ $3,450,000 bonus in 2010 to become the highest-paid high school third baseman in draft history.

1. Josh Jung, Texas Tech (Rangers) — $4,400,000
2. Brett Baty, Lake Travis HS, Austin (Mets) — $3,900,000
3. Kody Hoese, Tulane (Dodgers) — $2,740,300
4. Davis Wendzel, Baylor (Rangers) — $1,600,000
5. Nick Quintana, Arizona (Tigers) — $1,580,200
6. Aaron Schunk, Georgia (Rockies) — $1,102,700
7. Jared Triolo, Houston (Pirates) — $868,200
8. Drew Mendoza, Florida State (Nationals) — $800,000
9. Andre Lipcius, Tennessee (Tigers) — $733,100
10. Seth Gray, Wright State (Twins) — $483,000

Top Paid Shortstops
Top 10 Average Bonus — $3,795,410
Total (97) Average Bonus — $668,855

If you want to get paid, play shortstop. This is the position group that averaged the highest bonus in the 2019 class, both among the top 10 players for each position group and among all signed players. Shortstops become stars, either by sticking at the position at the major league level (Derek Jeter,Francisco Lindor,Carlos Correa), moving to third base (Chipper Jones,Manny Machado,Alex Bregman) or even the outfield (Gary Sheffield,Justin Upton,Adam Jones). By playing the toughest non-catcher position in the field and throwing righthanded, shortstops have the most flexibility on the positional spectrum and regularly find success at other positions if necessary.

The 2019 college shortstop class was routinely praised by scouts throughout the year, but it was three high school shortstops who topped the signing bonus list. BothBobby Witt Jr. andCJ Abramssigned for enough to join the list of top 10 highest paid shortstops of all time. In fact, Witt Jr. set the new bar for a shortstop signing bonus and is now the third-highest paid player in draft history behind Rutschman and Cole.

1. Bobby Witt, Colleyville (Texas) Heritage HS (Royals) — $7,787,400
2. CJ Abrams, Blessed Trinity HS, Roswell, Ga. (Padres) — $5,200,000
3. Keoni Cavaco, Eastlake HS, Chula Vista, Calif. (Twins) — $4,050,000
4. Bryson Stott, Nevada-Las Vegas (Phillies) — $3,900,000
5. Will Wilson, North Carolina State (Angels) — $3,397,500
6. Braden Shewmake, Texas A&M (Braves) — $3,129,800
7. Greg Jones, UNC Wilmington (Rays) — $3,024,500
8. Anthony Volpe, Delbarton HS, Morristown, N.J. (Yankees) — $2,740,300
9. Logan Davidson, Clemson (Athletics) — $2,424,600
10. Gunnar Henderson, Morgan Academy, Selma, Ala. (Orioles) — $2,300,000
11. Brady McConnell, Florida (Royals) — $2,222,500
12. Nasim Nunez, Collins Hill HS, Suwanee, Ga. (Marlins) — $2,200,000
13. Rece Hinds, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (Reds) — $1,797,500
14. Kyren Paris, Freedom HS, Oakley, Calif. (Angels) — $1,400,000
15. Cameron Cannon, Arizona (Red Sox) — $1,300,000
16. Matthew Lugo, Beltran Baseball Academy, Florida, P.R. (Red Sox) — $1,100,000
17. Yordys Valdes, McArthur HS, Hollywood, Fla. (Indians) — $1,001,000
18. Christian Cairo, Calvary Christian HS, Clearwater, Fla. (Indians) — $955,000
19. Cody Freeman, Etiwanda HS, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Rangers) — $900,000
20. Glenallen Hill, Baylor (Diamondbacks) — $850,000

Top Paid Second Basemen
Top 10 Average Bonus — $799,750
Total (38) Average Bonus — $244,947

Second baseman averaged the least amount in the 2019 class and was the only position group where the top 10 players didn’t average at least $1 million. OnlyMichael Busch,Tyler CallihanandChase Strumpfsigned for more than a million, and Busch and Callihan hardly spent any time at second base prior to getting drafted at the position.

Major League Baseball Draft Slot Money

Defensive questions generally surround second base prospects and only 12 players have been drafted as first-round second baseman this century, with Busch joining that group this year. But even with Busch, it’s possible that he winds up at first base or corner outfield in the future.Keston Hiura($4,000,000) has the highest signing bonus for a second baseman, followed byRickie Weeks($3,600,000) and now Busch.

1. Michael Busch, North Carolina (Dodgers) — $2,312,000
2. Tyler Callihan, Providence HS, Jacksonville (Reds) — $1,497,500
3. Chase Strumpf, UCLA (Cubs) — $1,050,300
4. Josh Smith, Louisiana State (Yankees) — $976,700
5. Eduoard Julien, Auburn (Twins) — $493,000
6. Michael Massey, Illinois (Royals) — $472,500
7. Gabe Holt, Texas Tech (Brewers) — $450,000
8. Ivan Johnson, Chipola (Fla.) JC (Reds) — $397,500
9. Cody Milligan, Cowley County (Kan.) JC (Braves) — $197,500
10. Isaac Collins, Creighton (Rockies) — $150,500

Top Paid Outfielders
Top 10 Average Bonus — $3,225,870
Total (158) Average Bonus — $368,208

Major League Baseball Draft Slot Money

The top 10 outfielders in the class averaged the second-highest bonus behind only shortstop, although the number of outfielders selected and signed brings the average overall bonus down to the middle of the pack.

JJ Bledaywas one of just two players (along with prep shortstopAnthony Volpe) who signed over-slot deals in the first round in 2019, and his $6,670,000 signing bonus is the most money any college outfielder has ever signed for. Bubba Starling—taken by the Royals with the No. 5 overall pick in 2011—is still responsible for the highest bonus by an outfielder of any source in the draft, whileBryce Harperand Donavan Tate are tied for third behind Starling and Bleday with $6,250,000 bonuses.Riley Greeneentered the top five outfielders with a $6,180,700 bonus.

1. JJ Bleday, Vanderbilt (Marlins) —$ 6,670,000
2. Riley Greene, Hagerty HS, Oviedo, Fla. (Tigers) — $6,180,700
3. Hunter Bishop, Arizona State (Giants) — $4,097,500
4. Corbin Carroll, Lakeside HS, Seattle (Diamondbacks) — $3,745,500
5. Hudson Head, Churchill HS, San Antonio (Padres) — $3,000,000
6. Sammy Siani, Penn Charter HS, Philadelphia (Pirates) — $2,150,000
7. Kameron Misner, Missouri (Marlins) — $2,115,000
8. Matt Wallner, Southern Mississippi (Twins) — $1,800,000
9. Trejyn Fletcher, Deering HS, Portland, Maine (Cardinals) — $1,500,000
10. Joshua Mears, Federal Way (Wash.) HS (Padres) — $1,000,000
11. Matt Gorski, Indiana (Pirates) —$ 1,000,000
12. Colin Barber, Pleasant Valley HS, Chico, Calif. (Astros) — $1,000,000
13. Kyle Stowers, Stanford (Orioles) — $884,200
14. Dasan Brown, Abbey Park HS, Oakville, Ont. (Blue Jays) — $797,500
15. Zach Watson, Louisiana State (Orioles) — $780,400
16. Dominic Fletcher, Arkansas (Diamondbacks) — $700,000
17. Grant McCray, Lakewood Ranch HS, Bradenton, Fla. (Giants) — $697,500
18. Jake Sanford, Western Kentucky (Yankees) — $597,500
19. Erik Rivera, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, Gurabo, P.R. (Angels) — $597,500
20. Stephen Paolini, St. Joseph HS, Trumbull, Conn. (Braves) — $597,500

Top Paid Righthanders
Top 10 Average Bonus — $2,813,550
Total (393) Average Bonus — $236,904

It was a down year for pitching, and that’s reflected in the signing bonuses. Alek Manoah’s $4,547,500 bonus was the highest of the 2019 class, but good for just 14th among righthanders all time. Manoah was the first righthander selected in the draft and on only two other occasions (1975 and 1980) did it take until the 11th pick for a righthander to get selected.

It was a notable year for junior college righthanders, however, asJackson Rutledgebecame the ninth member of that demographic to sign for at least $1 million and set a new record for JuCo righthanders by surpassing Nate Pearson’s 2017 bonus ($2,452,900) with the Blue Jays.

Righthanders are coveted, and the top 10 players of the group averaged the third-highest bonus behind shortstops and outfielders, but the vast number of righthanders selected drags the overall average down to last.

1. Alek Manoah, West Virginia (Blue Jays) — $4,547,500
2. Jackson Rutledge, San Jacinto (Texas) JC (Nationals) — $3,450,000
3. Quinn Priester, Cary-Grove HS, Cary, Ill. (Pirates) — $3,400,000
4. George Kirby, Elon (Mariners) — $3,242,900
5. Daniel Espino, Georgia Premier Academy, Statesboro, Ga. (Indians) — $2,500,000
6. Matthew Allan, Seminole HS, Sanford, Fla. (Mets) — $2,500,000
7. Brennan Malone, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (Diamondbacks) — $2,202,200
8. Josh Wolf, St. Thomas HS, Houston (Mets) — $2,150,000
9. Matthew Thompson, Cypress Ranch HS, Houston (White Sox) — $2,100,000
10. JJ Goss, Cypress Ranch HS, Houston (Rays) — $2,042,900
11. Ryan Jensen, Fresno State (Cubs) — $2,000,000
12. Andrew Dalquist, Redondo Union HS, Redondo Beach, Calif. (White Sox) — $2,000,000
13. Seth Johnson, Campbell (Rays) — $1,722,500
14. Kendall Williams, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (Blue Jays) — $1,547,500
15. Evan Fitterer, Aliso Niguel HS, Aliso Viejo, Calif. (Marlins) — $1,500,000
16. Ryan Garcia, UCLA (Rangers) — $1,469,900
17. Drey Jameson, Ball State (Diamondbacks) — $1,40,0000
18. Jack Kochanowicz, Harriton HS, Rosemont, Pa. (Angels) — $1,247,500
19. Matt Canterino, Rice (Twins) — $1,100,000
20. Ryne Nelson, Oregon (Diamondbacks) — $1,100,000
21. Jimmy Lewis, Lake Travis HS, Austin (Dodgers) — $1,097,500
22. Alec Marsh, Arizona State (Royals) — $904,300
23. Tyler Baum, North Carolina (Athletics) — $900,000
24. Isaiah Campbell, Arkansas (Mariners) — $850,000
25. Karl Kauffmann, Michigan (Rockies) — $805,600

Top Paid Lefthanders
Top 10 Average Bonus — $1,938,200
Total (127) Average Bonus — $266,638

It was a down year for pitching across the board, and that impacted lefties as well as righties. Lodolo was the first pitcher (of either hand) selected, and his $5,432,400 bonus with the Reds makes him the fifth-highest paid southpaw in the draft, behindMacKenzie Gore($6,700,000),Carlos Rodon($6,582,000),Danny Hultzen($6,350,000) andDavid Price($5,600,000).

Blake Walstonwas the highest-paid prep lefty in the 2019 class and one of just 10 high school lefthanders who signed this year. His $2,450,000 bonus is good for 19th all time among prep lefties.

1. Nick Lodolo, Texas Christian (Reds) — $5,432,400
2. Zack Thompson, Kentucky (Cardinals) — $3,000,000
3. Blake Walston, New Hanover HS, Wilmington, N.C. (Diamondbacks) — $2,450,000
4. T.J. Sikkema, Missouri (Yankees) — $1,949,800
5. Ethan Small, Mississippi State (Brewers) — $1,800,000
6. John Doxakis, Texas A&M (Rays) — $1,127,200
7. Antoine Kelly, Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC (Brewers) — $1,025,100
8. Brandon Williamson, Texas Christian (Mariners) — $925,000
9. Avery Short, Southport HS, Indianapolis (Diamondbacks) — $922,500
10. Tommy Henry, Michigan (Diamondbacks) — $750,000